I am an emeritus professor from Cornell University and was a Commissioned Lay Preacher in the Presbyterian Church (USA). For many years I have followed the Daily Lectionary as printed in the Mission Yearbook of my church. For each day of a two-year cycle, the lectionary lists four psalms and three other scriptural passages--usually one from the Old Testament and two from the New Testament. My practice is to copy down a verse or two from one of the psalms and from each of the other three passages. After I have written out all four selections, I reflect upon them, rearrange their order, and incorporate them into a meditation. Sometimes I retain much of the original wording; sometimes all that remains of a selection is an idea that was stimulated when I read the original words. All selections are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. For the Daily Lectionary, see the link below.

September 18, 2005

I. Readings
Psalms 46, 67, 93
2 Kings 4:8-37
Acts 9:10-31
Luke 3:7-18

II. Selections
Psalms 46:1
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.

2 Kings 4:16
[ Elisha] said, "At this season, in due time, you shall embrace a son." [ The Shunammite woman] replied, "No, my lord, O man of God; do not deceive your servant."

Acts 9:26
When [ Saul, or Paul] had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple.

Luke 3:15
As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah ...

III. Meditation: Too skeptical or too gullible
Sometimes we are too skeptical-the Shunammite woman did not believe Elisha, and the disciples did not trust Paul. Sometimes we are too hasty-the people were ready to assume that John the Baptist was the Messiah. Keep us from either extreme, and guide us; for you are our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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